In a prospective comparative study conducted at Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, the Tremor study assessed the manual dexterity and composure of hospital staff roles using a buzz wire game. Surgeons demonstrated higher success rates in completing the game within five minutes, although they also exhibited higher levels of swearing. Nurses and non-clinical staff showed higher rates of audible noises of frustration. The study challenges common beliefs about dexterity distribution across hospital roles and suggests implementing a surgical swear jar initiative for fundraising. The findings suggest a possible training effect on surgeons’ dexterity, highlighting the complex nature of assessing manual dexterity in healthcare settings.
https://www.bmj.com/content/387/bmj-2024-081814